The Mavericks didn’t have the luxury of playing four of their five projected starters in Monday’s 121-116 preseason-opening loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, but the exhibition game provided an opportunity for the others to get extended minutes.

Third-year point guard Jaden Hardy was the star of Dallas’ shorthanded roster, which was without Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, PJ Washington and several others. Hardy finished the game with a team-high 21 points and nine assists, showing his ability to facilitate the offense and disrupt the defense. He’s expected to be one of the main contenders for the backup point guard role alongside Spencer Dinwiddie, and he made a pretty good case on Monday. Hardy shot the ball well from three-point range, making six three-pointers, a career-best.

Here are a few more observations:

Dereck Lively II’s versatile offensive approach

Dereck Lively II didn’t start at center on Monday, but his impact on both ends of the court was felt in the first half. The second-year center showed versatility on offense. He thrived in his role as a vertical threat, which included back-to-back dunks in the second quarter. Lively’s most impressive play came late in the first quarter when he received the ball well before midcourt and made his way into the paint. He executed a spin move before completing a right-handed hook throw off the backboard when he was fouled. Lively won’t be called upon to handle the ball, but the fact that he was able to show confidence in this situation shows that he has a high level of offensive potential. He finished the game with 12 points, three rebounds and two steals.

Gortman leads the bench

Training camp signee Jazian Gortman has been the highlight off the bench for the Mavericks. The 6-foot-2 rookie from Overtime Elite scored 20 points and knocked down four of his seven 3-point shots. He was aggressive on offense and rose to the challenge of competing defensively with a team-high four steals. The Mavericks have an open spot for two players, and Gortman could get it if he performs similarly in the preseason.

Ja Morant’s short night

Mavericks coach Jason Kidd had one main goal heading into Monday’s season opener.

“Just come out of this healthy,” Kidd said in his pregame press conference.

Due to several injuries to key players, including Luka Doncic, PJ Washington and Dante Exum, the Mavericks could not afford to injure another player. That goal was achieved, but the same cannot be said for the Grizzlies.

Ja Morant, playing in his first game since Jan. 5 due to a season-ending shoulder injury that required surgery, suffered an injury that forced him to leave the game twice. Morant injured his right ankle sprinting back on defense at 8:53 of the second quarter. He limped to the locker room but returned to finish the half. At the 8:18 mark of the third quarter, Morant hit a two-handed dunk to the basket, but apparently aggravated the previous injury in the process. He did not return to the game, adding to the Grizzlies’ growing list of injuries.

Morant had several highlights, including an acrobatic block of Naji Marshall’s layup and the first of many alley-oop connections with Zach Edey, but his night was over early due to another injury.

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